Poster for Laurel Canyon

Laurel Canyon

2002, Drama, 1h 41m

112 Reviews 5,000+ Ratings

critics consensus

Though the movie itself is flawed, McDormand is fantastic as Jane. Read critic reviews

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Laurel Canyon Photos

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Movie Info

Sam (Christian Bale) and his fiancée, Alex (Kate Beckinsale), move to Los Angeles for the summer to stay at the luxurious house of his mother, Jane (Frances McDormand), while she's away. But Jane, a hip record producer, has not left yet because she's still working on a project with her British musician boyfriend, Ian (Alessandro Nivola). Sam and Alex feel the pull of Jane's fast-paced, decadent lifestyle, and their relationship starts to fray when they get involved with other people.

Rating:

R (Language|Drug Use|Sexuality)
Genre:

Drama
Original Language:

English
Director:

Lisa Cholodenko
Producer:

Susan A. Stover, Jeffrey Kusama-Hinte
Writer:

Lisa Cholodenko
Release Date (Theaters):

Mar 7, 2003 original
Release Date (Streaming):

Jul 15, 2003
Box Office (Gross USA):

$3.7M
Runtime:

1h 41m
Distributor:

Sony Pictures Classics
Sound Mix:

Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio:

Flat (1.85:1)

Cast & Crew

Frances McDormand

Frances McDormand
Jane Bentley

Christian Bale
Sam Bentley

Kate Beckinsale

Kate Beckinsale
Alex Elliot

Natascha McElhone

Natascha McElhone
Sara

Alessandro Nivola

Alessandro Nivola
Ian McKnight

Marcus Ashley
Tom

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News & Interviews for Laurel Canyon

Critical Consensus: "Flags" Flies High; "The Prestige" Is Magic; "Flicka" Is A Pretty Good Ride; "Marie Antoinette" Spared Critical Guillotine

Critical Consensus: "Flags" Flies High; "The Prestige" Is Magic; "Flicka" Is A Pretty Good Ride; "Marie Antoinette" Spared Critical Guillotine

Official "Transformers" Footage from Bay’s Own Blog

Official "Transformers" Footage from Bay’s Own Blog

Critic Reviews for Laurel Canyon

All Critics (112) | Top Critics (36) | Fresh (77) | Rotten (35)

Full Review… Richard Brody New Yorker

Full Review… Jamie Russell BBC.com

Full Review… Rene Rodriguez Miami Herald

Full Review… Jeff Strickler Minneapolis Star Tribune

Full Review… Bill Muller Arizona Republic

Full Review… Carrie Rickey Philadelphia Inquirer

Full Review… Kelly Vance East Bay Express

Full Review… Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com

Full Review… Rob Gonsalves Rob's Movie Vault

Full Review… Betsy Bozdech DVDJournal.com

Full Review… Mark Sells Oregon Herald

Full Review… Matt Kelemen Las Vegas CityLife

View All Critic Reviews (112)

Audience Reviews for Laurel Canyon

Nov 19, 2009

A good dramatic story with a comedic side. It relies on the acting talents to carry the story, who do that quite well. Christian Bale, Kate Beckinsale and Frances McDormand all gave strong performances and worked quite well together. I feel that the movie lacked a message, but it was still enjoyable.

Super Reviewer
Aug 06, 2008

"Christan Bale and Kate Beckansale deliver a wonderful delight" I really enjoyed this movie. This one of Christan Bale's first and best films. Its about alot of things like affairs, relationships, mother and son, and rockers who do anything for sex. Its a big drama that anyone can enjoy. Watch this movie because it delivers more than you'd think.

Corey W Super Reviewer
May 24, 2008

Christian Bale is brilliant as always but the rest of the film isn't. It's a character piece (and thankfully short), but it does appear to be an exercise in making Kate Beckinsale strip down to her underwear (thanks to a no-nudity clause) every ten minutes...all very well, but is a plot too much to ask for? Saying that, Frances McDormand is very good also. One for diehard Kate Beckinsale fans.

Super Reviewer
Feb 04, 2008

Sex,Drugs and Rock and roll.Oh I forgot the Icing on the cake the best part lol,Christian Bale.A pretty good Movie,I had been wanting to see this one for a while now.

.:SexiVixxEN : Super Reviewer

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